Italian/Jamaican reggae superstar Alborosie recently unleashed a dub version of his acclaimed Sound the System album, a set released in June. It’s his second dub effort and follows the superb Dub Clash, released in 2010 and to be reissued in 2014 as part of Evolution of Dub Vol. 8.

Sound the System was a vintage affair and offered a mix of live instrumentation and analogue recording techniques. Then it’s only natural for Alborosie to tramble the same path with the dub counterpart, and Dub the System of course echoes from past times, especially the 80s and the sounds of Sly & Robbie.

Alborosie himself has deconstructed all the tracks and then re-built them with passion and flare. The dub versions showcase his sense for melody, strong hooks and memorable horn parts. The dubs are warm, rich and flavourful and bridges nicely to the original versions.

I’m especially fond of the aggressive saxophone on Dub Concern and when Puppa Albo takes the role as funkmaster on Who Run the Dub. Excellent to say the least.